Pharmaceutical Review (www.pharmarev.com). Dr. Tahir Aziz Mughal B.Pharm., M.Phil., MBA., Ph.D Sr. Manager and Head Pharmacy Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Johar Town, Lahore- Pakistan (Email: tahir@skm.org.pk, mtahirphd@yahoo.com, Tel.: 0092 42 5945100 (Ext: 2291), Fax: 0092 42 5945198, Cell: +92 321 488 7801) has distributed message for pharmacist community regarding the decision of HEC to extend the tenure of Pharm-D program as under;
Dear All,
Doctor of Pharmacy is a professional degree and now appropriate way to recognize our profession. Our major bulk of Pharmacists is moved to Gulf, USA, UK, Canada, Australia etc. I think, let be patience and think what these countries are demanding. What is happening in the world and how can we compete with them. Additionally, either this will improve the skills of Pakistani pharmacist or not? I think YES…see happening in other countries
Saudia Arabia
According to the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS), if a student graduates with a (minimum six years) PharmD degree, then the graduate has the chance to further develop himself. This can be achieved by taking an Accredited Residency Training Program that is at least one year long (for a total of seven years, minimum). Upon successfully completing both the Residency program and the PharmD, the graduate can apply for Professional Equivalent (only equivalent in practice) to the Master degree in Pharmacy.
Qatar
In Qatar, pharmacy degrees are offered by the new College of Pharmacy at the Qatar University. Students were accepted into the 5-year BSc (Pharm) program commencing in 2007. Students will be accepted into the final year of the 6-year PharmD program in 2011. Accordingly, the first graduates of the PharmD program are expected in 2012. The program adopts a Canadian curriculum and received early accreditation by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) in February 2009. This is the first international program to undergo review and receive accreditation by this sole Canadian accreditation agency.
United States
In the United States, the PharmD. (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree is a professional degree that prepares the graduate for pharmacy practice. It is awarded after four years of pharmacy school, which include one year of practical experience. Most schools require students to take an entrance test (PCAT) and complete 60-90 credit hours (2–3 years) of university coursework in the sciences, mathematics, composition and humanities before entry into a professional program. Many pharmacy students complete a bachelor’s degree before entry to pharmacy school.
Total time: 2–4 years undergraduate (Associate or Bachelor degree), 4 years professional (PharmD), optional 1–3 years of specialization (residency/fellowship).
In the USA, legal requirements to becoming a pharmacist include graduating with a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited college of pharmacy, serving an internship under a licensed pharmacist, and passing a state (NAPLEX) and law exam. The designation PharmD is sometimes erroneously likened to a PhD degree which is an advanced scientific degree in this field (ie. Phd. in Pharmacology or Pharmaceutics). PharmD holders can also earn another advanced degree in this field such as the MS in Pharmarcy offered at many US institutions. The former degree was a Bachelor of Pharmacy and required slightly less schooling and different curriculum. Due to the changes to health care in today’s society and the increasing need for counseling and medication maintenance, pharmacists have taken on a larger role as clinicians. This increase in the need for accessible health care information for consumers has led to great strides in the field of pharmacy. One result of this has been a change in the way pharmacy schools structure their curriculum as well as an advanced doctorate degree, which further sets the pharmacist apart as a trusted ally in a patient’s health care treatment regimen. In fact, pharmacists consistently rank as one of the most trusted professionals in today’s society. This degree requires the completion of at least five years of post-secondary schooling but usually requires at least 6-8 years at present time, depending on which state you live in and the pharmacy school which you attend. The former degree obtained upon completion of pharmacy school was a Bachelors in Pharmacy or BS and pharmacists with this designation were given the title RPh. In the USA, pharmacist who acquire a PharmD degree are legally allowed to add the prefix “Dr.” before his / her name. Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs.
India
Pharm.D (6 year integrated doctorate in pharmacy course), was introduced by Govt. of India and The Pharmacy Council of India in 2008. The first batch of post bacularate Pharm.D students will graduate by 2011. The government has taken new innovative steps for increasing the interest of the students. By 2014 there will be more colleges offering Pharm.D courses in India.Many college of pharmacy offering 6 year integrated doctor of pharmacy course and the first batch will come out in 2014.it is five years theory and practical in hospital and pharmaceutical field and student should submitted thesis work at the end of the 5th year and in the final year(6th) student should practice 12 months as a residency/internship in minimum 300 bedded hospital
Iran
In 1930 Tehran University changed the Pharmacy degree from Masters to doctorate (Pharm.D. or Doctor of Pharmacy) and the duration of the study was increased to 5 years. Graduates need to present and defend their theses in different fields of pharmacy and this adds another year to their studies and generally after 6 years students can graduate as Doctor in Pharmacy.
Regards;
Dr. Tahir Aziz Mughal B.Pharm., M.Phil., MBA., Ph.D Sr. Manager and Head Pharmacy Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Center, Johar Town, Lahore- Pakistan. Email: tahir@skm.org.pk, mtahirphd@yahoo.com, Tel.: 0092 42 5945100 (Ext: 2291), Fax: 0092 42 5945198, Cell: +92 321 488 7801